JOE O’CONNOR pulled off a miraculous shot that even left the referee stunned.
O’Connor was in action in the third round of the Welsh Open against Matthew Stevens.
The 29-year-old was winning 2-0 in frames without conceding a single point after 99-0 and 87-0 wins.
Stevens finally got into the game in frame three.
While he was leading 65-32, O’Connor was given the chance to claw some points back.
However, the cue ball was positioned right up against the table cushion, making the shot difficult.
O’Connor fired a shot forwards, hitting the yellow ball.
As the cue ball bounced off to the left, the yellow cannoned into the black ball which then moved in the same direction.
A green ball was positioned over the corner pocket, which the cue ball narrowly passed after bouncing off of the far end cushion.
But it then became sandwiched as the black ball nestled itself right up against it, snookering Stevens in place.
The Welsh cueist smiled in disbelief at the shot, while the referee was also visibly stunned as he pursed his lips.
Fans on social media were equally shocked, but could not help but highlight the referee’s reaction.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Snooker star Mark Williams left clutching face in agony after being struck by wayward golf ball ” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6368428224112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]One user said: “The referee’s reaction was brilliant.”
Another said: “I like it that refs also enjoy a quality match and good shots.”
A third said: “The referee’s reaction, priceless.”
Stevens did go on to win the frame 76-39 before O’Connor restored his two-frame advantage by winning frame four 113-1.
He then won the fifth and final frame 82-0.
O’Connor is now going up against Ali Carter in the quarter-finals.